Washing engine
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Freshman User
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Washing engine
I have an 01 F-150 with 5.4 triton. I want to wash the engine.
I am fairly handy but would love to have some pointers on doing so.
Also can I use pressure washer or not?
Thanks
Dan B
I am fairly handy but would love to have some pointers on doing so.
Also can I use pressure washer or not?
Thanks
Dan B
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
Do not wash the engine unless you are prepared to deal with the possible consequences of getting water down in the spark plug wells in the heads.
Water tends to get in there and generally mucks up the ignition system (COPS) causing misfires.
Water tends to get in there and generally mucks up the ignition system (COPS) causing misfires.
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From: sanford
^^^^^^^YUP^^^^^^^
Elder User
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From: New Braunfels, TX
Great suggestions from the others, but from experience working as the washboy at the auto body and mech shop you come across some pretty relentless messes.
The way i would start go to the closest you wash it and dump some quarters in it, use the engine degreaser and let it sit while you maybe wash the body (2 min or so, dont want it cooking on the motor) the come back with the pressure wash. when you get home take you air compressor and blow any standing water out of the "bowl spots". Your truck can handle as much water as rain and the tires can throw up on it. and on the trip home most of that would have evaporated or shakin out of the "bowls" anyway. Good luck and show us a picture of how it looks all cleaned up.
KCDO,
Boomer
The way i would start go to the closest you wash it and dump some quarters in it, use the engine degreaser and let it sit while you maybe wash the body (2 min or so, dont want it cooking on the motor) the come back with the pressure wash. when you get home take you air compressor and blow any standing water out of the "bowl spots". Your truck can handle as much water as rain and the tires can throw up on it. and on the trip home most of that would have evaporated or shakin out of the "bowls" anyway. Good luck and show us a picture of how it looks all cleaned up.
KCDO,
Boomer
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From: St Louis
Yeah, and when that pressure washer shoots water down into one or more of the plug wells and the COP shorts out when you start the engine, you'll wish you hadn't.
"Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."
"Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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You ever look at a used F150 on the lot. The engines look brand new.
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A Steamy Jenny is not a pressure washer, it s steam cleaner. There is a difference.
Regardless, what they said above is true. They are making it look nice to sell. If it develops issues, unless you are getting a warranty its your problem.
Clean it by hand only. Real enthusiasts that do show cars clean everything by hand. They will use brushes to clean hard to reach areas, then rinse and wash the good old fashioned way.
Question, why clean your engine with anything more than a little degreased and a soapy rag unless you are entering the car in a show. An engine does not need to be clean.
Regardless, what they said above is true. They are making it look nice to sell. If it develops issues, unless you are getting a warranty its your problem.
Clean it by hand only. Real enthusiasts that do show cars clean everything by hand. They will use brushes to clean hard to reach areas, then rinse and wash the good old fashioned way.
Question, why clean your engine with anything more than a little degreased and a soapy rag unless you are entering the car in a show. An engine does not need to be clean.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
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From: MICHIGAN
Makes sense...but we bought our 06' escape 3.0v6 at a local Ford dealer two years ago and the engine was spotless. Have never had an issue. Luck maybe? I would never wash the engine in my F150. How ever detail shops do it is the trick. There liable if they f-up your car.
Elder User
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From: New Braunfels, TX
I was not lookin' to burst anyones bubble here, but i would rather not have my experience questioned. If you are responding to the thread to help out, GREAT! And you have an opinion I have nothing against that, this is just not a place to knock other FTErs. Thanks!
Boomer
Boomer
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Johnstown, PA
I gave some cleaning a go today on mine (mine gets shown, so there's a good cause for this...lol) and nearly ran into the COPS problem by getting a little careless with spraying. With some caution you can spray in there with a good degreaser and a hose. Be ready to do a lot of hand work though if you really want a complete finish - hose can't get everywhere.
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